eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Chest

Scleroderma, Thoracic: Follow-up

Author: Tracy Elliot, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Alberta Health Sciences Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 29, 2008

Intervention

A collaborative approach between pulmonologists and thoracic radiologists is important in the diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease. Analysis of HRCT images of the chest can guide video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy. An increased incidence of lung cancer is seen in patients with scleroderma, and the radiologist is involved in detection and diagnosis through CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy.

Perform percutaneous drainage of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyemas with CT or US guidance.

Special Concerns

  • Radiographs in women who are pregnant are limited to a single PA view to minimize radiation exposure. Shielding is used when appropriate.
  • If HRCT examination is considered essential during pregnancy, it can be tailored to minimize radiation exposure.
 


More on Scleroderma, Thoracic

Overview: Scleroderma, Thoracic
Imaging: Scleroderma, Thoracic
Follow-up: Scleroderma, Thoracic
Multimedia: Scleroderma, Thoracic
References
Further Reading
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References

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Keywords

thoracic scleroderma, progressive systemic sclerosis, PSS, scleroderma, SSc, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, dcSSc, lcSSc

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Tracy Elliot, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Alberta Health Sciences Center
Tracy Elliot, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alberta Medical Association, American Roentgen Ray Society, Canadian Association of Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society of Thoracic Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Judith K Amorosa, MD, FACR, Clinical Professor and Program Director, Department of Radiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Judith K Amorosa, MD, FACR is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, and Society of Thoracic Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

John D Newell, Jr, MD, FACR, FCCP, FASER, Co-Director of Thoracic Imaging, UCDHSC; Director of Lung Imaging Center, Professor of Radiology and Professor of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, National Jewish Medical and Research Center; Univ. Colorado Hospital
John D Newell, Jr, MD, FACR, FCCP, FASER is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, American Thoracic Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, and Society of Thoracic Radiology
Disclosure: Siemens Medical Grant/research funds Consulting; Forevision Technologies Ownership interest Consulting; Vida Corporation Ownership interest Board membership; TeraRecon Grant/research funds Consulting; eMedicine Honoraria Consulting

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Barry H Gross, MD, Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School; Professor, University of Michigan Cancer Center
Barry H Gross, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Michigan State Medical Society, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Radiological Society of North America, and Society of Thoracic Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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